Study of acute vulvovaginitis in sexually active adult women, with special reference to candidosis, in patients of the Francisco J. Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital

The results of microbiological vaginal secretions samples obtained from 749 women (from July 2001 to July 2002) were studied in the Bacteriology Unit of the Francisco Javier Mu?iz Hospital from Buenos Aires. All patients suffered acute vulvovaginitis were child bearing and sexually active women, 334 of them were HIV-positive. The following are the results of the microbiological studies: Lactobacillus spp 50.6%, Gardnerella vaginalis 25.6%, Candida spp 17.4%, Trichomonas vaginalis 5.3%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 0.3% and B group Streptococcus 0.8%. Candida vaginitis was significantly more frequent in HIV-positive patients, (21.6% vs 14%; p = 0.0086); meanwhile, trichomoniasis was less common although the difference was not statistically significant (3.6 vs 6.7%, p = 0.0810). The following Candida species were isolated in this study: Candida albicans 76.8%, Candida glabrata 15.6%, Candida parapsilosis 2.9%, Candida tropicalis 1.5% and Candida krusei 0.7%. Eight cases (6.2%) of vaginitis were produced by two Candida species (C. albicans and C. glabrata), and in three cases (2.17%) Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated. Five women suffering acute vaginitis with Candida spp presented another etiologic agent of vaginal infection, three cases T. vaginalis and two cases G. vaginalis. The following are some of the most important findings of this study: 1) Half of the patients presented a normal microbial biota; 2) Candida spp vaginitis was significantly more frequent among HIV-positive women; 3) we observed a high incidence of Candida glabrata infections (15.9%), 4) 6.2% of vaginal candidiasis were caused by more than one Candida species and, 5) the susceptibility pattern of C. albicans and C. glabrata isolates against fluconazole was similar to the one observed in other studies. The majority of C. albicans isolates were susceptible to fluconazole (MIC90 = 0.5 microg/ml) meanwhile C. glabrata strains were much less susceptible to this drug (MIC50 and MIC90 = 32 microg/ml).     

多次人工流产后妊娠期阴道病患者致病微生物检测及药敏分析

目的检测多次人工流产后妊娠期阴道病患者的致病微生物,并提出治疗建议。方法选取102例多次人工流产后妊娠期阴道病患者作为研究对象,所有患者均采用无菌棉拭子收集2份阴道分泌物样本,其中1份采用高倍镜检查阴道清洁度和滴虫感染情况,另1份检测病原微生物感染情况,统计病原微生物分布情况并检测常见病原微生物药敏情况。结果阴道清洁度检测显示,清洁度4度者构成比最高,为60.78%,其次为3度,1度者构成比最低。共12例患者存在滴虫感染,构成比为11.76%。人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染12例,感染率为11.76%。支原体感染率、衣原体感染率分别为38.24%、33.33%。92例患者阴道分泌物共检出225株病原菌,其中革兰阳性菌占60.44%,以棒状杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌为主;革兰阴性菌占25.78%,以肺炎克雷伯菌、阴道加德纳菌、大肠埃希菌为主;真菌占13.78%,以白假丝酵母、光滑假丝酵母、克柔假丝酵母为主。药敏试验显示,棒状杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、乳杆菌和肠球菌属对青霉素的耐药率均较低,分别为0.00%、0.00%、5.00%、5.88%、6.67%;肺炎克雷伯菌、阴道加德纳菌、大肠埃希菌对亚胺培南的耐药率均较低,分别为4.55%、12.50%、9.09%;白假丝酵母、光滑假丝酵菌、克柔假丝酵母对两性霉素B、5-氟胞嘧啶的耐药率均为0.00%,且光滑假丝酵母菌对酮康唑、克霉唑的耐药率也均为0.00%。结论多次人工流产后妊娠期阴道病患者常见的致病微生物有滴虫、支原体、衣原体、细菌、真菌等,需要根据检测结果选择安全、合理的药物进行治疗。     

Real-time PCR分析滴虫性阴道炎患者微生物组成的变化

目的探寻滴虫性阴道炎患者阴道微生物组成的特点,为临床诊治及减少疾病的复发提供参考依据。方法选取2016年5-6月复旦大学附属华东医院妇科门诊45岁以下确诊为滴虫性阴道炎的育龄期患者16例,以同期18例45岁以下育龄期健康女性为对照,采集患者和健康人上阴道壁1/3处的分泌物,进行常规临床分析和革兰染色,并以21种常见的阴道细菌的特异引物进行Real-time PCR检测,分析并比较这些细菌在滴虫性阴道炎患者和健康人阴道内的组成及变化。结果在18例健康人中,其中13例的阴道微生物组成以乳酸杆菌(Lactobacillus)为优势菌,3例的阴道微生物组成无明显优势菌群或者优势菌不为检测的21种常见阴道微生物,2例的阴道微生物组成以加德纳菌为优势菌;在16例滴虫性阴道炎患者中,只有2例患者的阴道微生物菌群以乳酸杆菌为优势菌,14例以厌氧菌如普雷沃属(Prevotella)、纤毛菌(Leptotrichia)和斯尼思菌(Sneathia)为优势菌。经Metastats进行组间差异分析,结果表明Lactobacillus crispatus、Leptotrichia amnionii、Eggerthella sp.和Peptostreptococcus sp.在两组之间差异有统计学意义(P≤0.05)。PCoA主成分析结果亦显示滴虫性阴道炎患者的阴道常见21种微生物组成与健康人有显著差别。结论滴虫性阴道炎患者阴道内微生物组成的多样性增加,普雷沃属、纤毛菌及斯尼思菌的明显增高可能滴虫性阴道炎的炎症发生有关,此结果对于临床治疗滴虫性阴道炎的及减少复发提供新的方向,具有一定的指导意义。     

The role of fomites in the transmission of vaginitis.

A role for fomites such as toilet seats in the transmission of vaginitis has never been proved or disproved. A compilation of clinical data from a university community showed that the organisms found in vaginal cultures of patients with vaginitis were, in order of frequency. Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Hemophilus vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis. In a concurrent bacteriologic survey of washroom fixtures, staphylococci and other micrococci were isolated most frequently. The overt pathogens associated with vaginitis were never found, and gram-negative organisms appeared to be suppressed by the disinfectant used by the cleaning staff. It is clear that fomites are not an important mode of transmission in vaginitis, although a search for specific pathogens on toilets is to be continued.     

First characterization of Candida albicans by random amplified polymorphic DNA method in Nicaragua and comparison of the diagnosis methods for vaginal candidiasis in Nicaraguan women

A total of 106 women with vaginitis in Nicaragua were studied. The positive rate for the identification of Candida species was 41% (44 positive cultures out of 106 women with vaginitis). The sensitivity of microscopic examination of wet mount with the potassium hydroxide (KOH) was 61% and 70% with Gram's stain when using the culture of vaginal fluid as gold standard for diagnosis of candidiasis. Among the 44 positives cultures, isolated species of yeast from vaginal swabs were C. albicans (59%), C. tropicalis (23%), C. glabrata (14%) and C. krusei (4%). This study reports the first characterization of 26 C. albicans stocks from Nicaragua by the random amplified polymorphic DNA method. The genetic analysis in this small C. albicans population showed the existence of linkage disequilibrium, which is consistent with the hypothesis that C. albicans undergoes a clonal propagation.     

中老年阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染状况调查分析

目的:分析中老年阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染情况,为中老年阴道炎的防治提供依据。方法:对2016年9月～2019年9月来我院就诊的中老年阴道炎患者的阴道分泌物进行阴道毛滴虫检查,同时通过问卷调查方法收集患者的病历资料,回收有效问卷200份,分析不同年龄、季节、职业、生活习惯、性生活情况患者的阴道毛滴虫感染状况。结果:中老年阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率为10.50%,其中45～50岁年龄段阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率最高,占19.15%,71～80岁年龄段阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率最低,占2.78%,不同年龄段阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率比较有统计学差异(P0.05)。春季、夏季阴道毛滴虫感染率显著高于秋季、冬季(P0.05)。牧民、农民阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率显著高于工人和公职人员的感染率(P0.05),牧民、农民阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率无明显差异(P0.05)。经常性清洁外阴的阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率显著低于非经常性清洁外阴的患者(P0.05)。有性生活阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率显著高于无性生活患者(P0.05),有性生活应用避孕套的阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率显著低于不应用避孕套患者(P0.05)。结论:中老年阴道炎患者阴道毛滴虫感染率较高,春季、夏季是阴道毛滴虫感染的高峰期,中年患者感染率高于老年患者,农民、牧民、服务人员和非经常性清洁外阴的患者阴道毛滴虫感染率较高,且有性生活没有应用避孕套者感染率更高,应做好以上高危人群的防治工作,以降低阴道毛滴虫的感染率。     

Serotyping of Candida albicans isolated from clinical specimens

A specific antiserum to Candida albicans serotype A was prepared absorbing a total antiserum with Candida albicans serotype B cells. This specific antiserum was used for serotyping C. albicans strains obtained from patients in different hospitals of Havana City, Cuba. Two hundred strains (95.2%) were serotype A, the remaining 10 (4.8%) were serotype B. Results were also correlated with strains isolated from the specimen origin, sex and race of the patient. The usefulness of this specific antiserum to determine C. albicans serotypes and its therapeutic value are pointed out.     

Vaginal microbial flora in normal young women.

Vaginal swabs were taken from 1498 women attending a family planning clinic. The flora was assessed in the absence of any information about the women to whom the swabs related. Yeasts and fungi were present in 311 women (21%) and were no more prevalent among "pill" users than others. Candida albicans was significantly associated with vulval itching and with a vaginal discharge described as heavier than normal or curdy on clinical examination, though these abnormalities were present in only a minority of women with the organism. Trichomonas vaginalis was found in 14 women (1%) and was associated with abnormalities of vaginal discharge in all but one. Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli were significantly more common in women with a troublesome vaginal discharge and those who used an intrauterine device than others. No associations were found between fungi other than C albicans or the other bacteria sought and either symptoms or clinical abnormalities of vaginal discharge.     

Trichomonas vaginalis: random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic women in India

Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent for human trichomoniasis, is a protozoan parasite. Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. The infection in women may be asymptomatic or may lead to severe vaginitis, cervicitis and severe sequelae. Despite its high prevalence, the genetic variability and factors leading to symptomatic infection have been poorly understood. One thousand women in childbearing age group were screened for the presence of T vaginalis. Thirty-eight women were found positive for T vaginalis and out of these 22 (57.9%) were having symptomatic infection and 16 (42%) were asymptomatic. Fresh isolates from 15 symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic women were axenised and subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis with the use of five different random primers (OPD 1-OPD 5). The isolates with similar banding pattern were assigned as a single type. OPD 3 indicated least (nine types) while OPD 4 indicated highest typing (18 types) ability. Phylogenetic analysis using RAPD distance software indicated two distinct lineages; upper branch consisting of only seven symptomatic isolates while lower branch consisting of all the 15 asymptomatic isolates the other eight symptomatic isolates were recorded in separate cluster. The study indicated that RAPD technique might be helpful to delineate the pathogenic mechanism(s) for its virulence; however, further studies on large number of isolates are desired to elucidate the findings.     

Phenotype and genotype of Candida albicans strains isolated from pregnant women with recurrent vaginitis

Fourteen out of 80 pregnant women receiving prenatal care presented signs and symptoms of recurrent vaginal candidiasis. Candida albicans strains were isolated from 12 patients (85.7%), and these were submitted to morphotyping (morphological characteristics of the colony), antifungal typing (pattern of sensitivity to amphotericin B, 5-fluorcytosine, myconazole, ketoconazole and fluconazole) and genotyping (electrophoretic migration of DNA fragments digested with EcoRI and HinfI). Alteration of morphotype and antifungal type was observed in 50% of the patients, but the genotype of the strains isolated from the same patients at different times was identical in all subjects. The predominant morphotypes presented continuous fringes and the basic changes observed among antifungal types was the emergence of strains resistant to myconazole, which was the drug used for the treatment of the first episode of vaginitis. We conclude that recurrent vaginal candidiasis is caused by the persistence of a single yeast genotype that undergoes morphological and behavioral changes in the presence of antifungal agents due to the selective pressure to which it is submitted. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Drug resistance in the sexually transmitted protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection.It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vagina/is. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associatedwith preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality, as well as predisposing to HIV/AIDSand cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis has the highest prevalence and incidence of any sexually transmitted infection. The 5-nitroimidazole drugs, of which metronidazole is the most prescribed, are the only approved,effective drugs to treat trichomoniasis. Resistance against metronidazole is frequently reported and cross-resistance among the family of 5-nitroimidazole drugs is common, leaving no alternative for treatment, withsome cases remaining unresolved. The mechanism of metronidazole resistance in T. Vagina/is from treatment failures is not well understood, unlike resistance which is developed in the laboratory under increasingmet ronidazole pressure. In the latter situation, hydrog enosomal function which is involved in activationof the prodrug, metronidazole, is down-regulated. Reversion to sensitivity is incomplete after removal ofdrug pressure in the highly resistant parasites while clinically resistant strains, so far analysed, maintaintheir resistance levels in the absence of drug pressure. Although anaerobic resistance has been regarded asa laboratory induced phenomenon, it clearly has been demonstrated in clinical isolates. Pursuit of both approaches will allow dissection of the underlying mechanisms. Many alternative drugs and treatments have been tested in vivo in cases of refractory trichomoniasis, as well as in vitro with some successes including the broad spectrum anti-parasitic drug nitazoxanide. Drug resistance incidence in T. Vagina/is appears to be on the increase and improved surveillance of treatment failures is urged.     

Prevalence and Comparison of Diagnostic Methods for Trichomonas vaginalis Infection in Pregnant Women in Argentina

The objectives of this study were to conduct a prevalence survey of trichomoniasis in pregnant women and to evaluate the utility of different methods for its diagnosis. A total of 597 vaginal exudates from pregnant women who were examined at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1 August 2005 to 31 January 2007, were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. The investigation of Trichomonas vaginalis was made by different microscopic examinations, and culture on liquid medium. The sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examinations were assessed considering culture on liquid medium as the "gold standard". The prevalence of T. vaginalis obtained by culture on liquid medium was 4.0% (24/597). The prevalence of T. vaginalis obtained by direct wet smear, prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa staining, and sodium acetate-formalin (SAF)/methylene blue staining-fixing technique was 1.8%, 2.3% and 2.5%, respectively. The sensitivity of the direct wet smear was 45.8%, that of the prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa staining was 58.3%, and that of the SAF/methylene blue method was 62.5%. Considering the 3 microscopic examinations altogether, the sensitivity rose to 66.7% and the specificity was 100% for all of them. This is the first time that the prevalence data of T. vaginalis by culture in pregnant women are published in Argentina. Due to the low sensitivity obtained by microscopy in asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of the liquid medium is recommended during pregnancy, in order to provide an early diagnosis and treatment.     

不同年龄组阴道炎患者阴道分泌物检查结果分析

目的对比分析不同年龄组女性阴道炎患者阴道清洁度和霉菌、滴虫、纤毛菌、线索细胞检出情况。方法对2 295例女性阴道炎患者按照年龄分组进行阴道分泌物涂片染色检查。结果 2 295例中阴道清洁度为Ⅲ～Ⅳ度占66.19%,霉菌、线索细胞、滴虫和纤毛菌的检出率分别为25.22%、15.69%、0.74%和0.48%;50岁以上年龄组阴道清洁度Ⅲ度检出率较高;20岁以下年龄组Ⅳ度检出率较高;21～30年龄组霉菌检出率较高,41～50年龄组线索细胞和滴虫检出率较高,纤毛菌检出率在各组之间差异无统计学意义。结论大连地区女性阴道炎患者防治形势不容乐观;与年龄相关的生理原因及个人行为因素导致不同年龄组患者阴道感染病因的差异性。     

Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women with urogenital symptoms.

Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from 30 to 100 women attending a family physician''s office with dysuria, frequency or vaginal discharge, compared with 2 of 30 asymptomatic women. Multiple infections were common: C. trachomatis coexisted with Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis or a bacterial cause of urinary tract infection in 15 patients. C. trachomatis was isolated alone from 15 symptomatic women. The source of the positive culture was not always the site of symptoms. C. trachomatis was isolated from both the cervix and the urine of 9 patients, either simultaneously or sequentially. The probability of finding a chlamydial infection was 30% in young women with vaginal discharge alone, 33% in those with dysuria and frequency alone and 53% in those with abdominal or pelvic pain in addition to lower urogenital tract symptoms.     

Observations on Trichomonas vaginalis infections in Zambia

Microscopy and culture of high vaginal swabs from an ante-natal clinic showed that 38.5% of the women harboured Trichomonas vaginalis; the corresponding figure from a gynaecology clinic was 31.4%. The incorporation of the culture method together with direct microscopy as a diagnostic technique in a routine laboratory is emphasized. Urine microscopy in out-patients, in-patients and medical examinees indicates that T. vaginalis in both males and females is not a rare infestation but the prevalence rate of 4.8% in males is considered an underestimate. Asymptomatic and symptomatic trichomoniasis was evident during the study. The age group in which the infection is most common is noted; this evidence suggests that venereal transmission need not be the only source of infection. The role of urinary schistosomiasis as a possible cause of urethritis is discussed.     

念珠菌阴道炎及其耐药性分析

目的探索女性念珠菌阴道炎发病情况及耐药性。方法白带常规采用直接盐水涂片法;阴道分泌物培养按细菌培养常规法进行培养。结果白带常规检查中念珠菌阳性率为12．9％,滴虫阳性率为2．0％,线索细胞阳性率为10．3％,清洁度（Ⅲ～Ⅳ）为13．0％。阴道分泌物培养情况如下：念珠菌阳性率为26％,细菌感染阳性率为45％．今珠菌培养阳性的标本中：白色念珠菌占90％,光滑念珠菌占7．8％,热带念珠菌占2．2％。念珠菌药敏结果分析：制霉素敏感度大于80％,是治疗念珠菌阴道炎最理想的药物。结论念珠菌阴道炎处于逐年上升的趋势：医生应根据药敏结果合理选择抗真菌药物,以免抗生素的滥用。     

Correlative relationship between adherence of Candida albicans to human vaginal epithelial cells in vitro and candidal vaginitis

This study investigated whether a correlation exists between predisposition to candidal vaginitis and adherence of Candida albicans to vaginal epithelial cells in vitro. Vaginal epithelial cells from 120 fecund women who were pregnant and/or diabetic had a greater propensity to bind C. albicans than did 71 oral contraceptive users and 75 non-pregnant, non-diabetic controls. The highest level of adherence occurred in pregnant diabetic women. Among 48 non-diabetic postmenopausal females, C. albicans adherence was lower than for fecund controls, but it was higher for cells from 33 postmenopausal diabetic women. The hormonal status of the fecund and postmenopausal women was assayed cytologically by the Karyopyknotic and Maturation Indices, which determine the ratios of superficial, intermediate and parabasal vaginal epithelial cells. Our findings point to increased C. albicans adherence in situations where there is an increase in the number of intermediate epithelial cells: pregnancy, the first or fourth weeks of the menstrual cycle, or diabetes. The adherence of 41 C. albicans isolates from patients with vaginitis was significantly higher than that of 36 isolates from asymptomatic carriers.     

Detection of IgG and IgM antibodies with ELISA technique in human trichomoniasis

The direct wet mount examination of vaginal secretion, widely applied for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in woman patients, is rapid and economical, however, the sensitivity of this technique is not so high. In this study enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for the detection of serum anti-T. vaginalis IgG and IgM antibodies from 30 vaginal trichomoniasis patients and 30 non-infected healthy persons. The results were as follows: 1. Serum ELISA-IgG value was 0.37 +/- 0.134 (Mean +/- S.D.) in vaginal trichomoniasis patients and 0.21 +/- 0.054 in healthy controls (p less than 0.005), and the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for serum IgG antibody were 70.0% and 96.7%, respectively. 2. Serum ELISA-IgM value was 0.33 +/- 0.177 (Mean +/- S.D.) in vaginal trichomoniasis patients and 0.11 +/- 0.051 in healthy controls (p less than 0.005), and the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for serum IgM antibody were 70.0% and 96.7%, respectively. 3. The ELISA-IgG values showed a significant correlation with ELISA-IgM values (r = 0.77, p less than 0.005). With above results, it is assumed that ELISA is a reliable method for the diagnosis of T. vaginalis infection and simultaneous measurement of serum IgG and IgM with this technique is recommended.     

in Vitro Activity of Antimycotic Agents Determined by e-Test Method Against Vaginal Shape Candida Species

Vaginal candidiasis continues to be a common cause of vaginal discharge, pruritus and other local complaints in women worldwide. Although numerous antimycotic agents are available for the treatment of yeast vaginitis there is little comparative data on the in vitro activity of these drugs. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the Candida species in the vagina and anus of patients treated in a gynaecology clinic, as well as determine the susceptibility to azolic compounds measured by the E-test method. Vaginal and rectal swabs were collected from 80 adult non-pregnant patients, seen at a gynaecological clinic, aged 18–59 years, with sexual activity, with and without vaginitis. The swabs were processed by methods routinely used for the detection of pathogenic yeasts. The susceptibility of the isolates to fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole, was measured by the agar diffusion method (E-test), using RPMI 1640 medium with 2% glucose and phosphate buffer. Candida species (33) strains were isolated from 17 patients at similar proportions from both anatomical sites, and 12 patients harboured 24 strains of C. albicans in the vaginal and rectal tracts. Twenty one percent of the strains of C. albicans were resistant to ketoconazole, 54% were resistant to itraconazole and 0% were resistant to fluconazole. The sensitivity of strains isolated from the two sites were similar, indicating that these are strains of the same phenotype. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.